Drivers can't hang up cellphone habit

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Palmerston North's drivers are still using their cellphones while driving, a police blitz on cellphone use in moving cars has found.

Senior Sergeant Phil Skoglund said for the past three weeks, Palmerston North police had been focusing on the use of cellphones, seatbelts and driver behaviour at intersections, to coincide with a national operation with the same focus starting on Monday.

Officers were catching on average three to five drivers a week talking on their cellphones.

He said it might not sound like a lot, but that was 15 to 20 people who had to be reminded to keep their full attention on the road.

People caught talking on cellphones while driving were fined $80 and were given 20 demerit points. One hundred points meant a loss of licence and demerit points that lasted for two years before they expired.